It also widened the definition of priority sector by including medium enterprises, social infrastructure and renewable energy while retaining the lending target to the sector at 40 per cent.

Changes have however been made in certain sub-categories by fixing lending targets. Also, the distinction between direct and indirect agriculture has been dispensed with and loans to food and agro processing units will form part of agriculture.

Eight per cent of total bank credit prescribed for small and marginal farmers within the agriculture segment has to be achieved in a phased manner -- 7 per cent by March 2016 and 8 per cent by March 2017, RBI said.

Overall target for agriculture has been kept unchanged at 18 per cent.

For micro enterprises, 7 per cent lending by March 2016 and 7.5 per cent by March 2017 has been prescribed.

However, there will be no change in the 10 per cent loan target for weaker sections.